d Alice that by the terms of
Mrs. Putnam's last will she had been left sole heiress of all the real
and personal property of the deceased. The dwelling house and farm were
worth fully ten thousand dollars, while the bonds, stocks, and other
securities, of which he had had charge for many years, were worth at
least forty thousand more. For several years Mrs. Putnam's income had
been about twenty-five hundred dollars a year.

"It was very kind of her to leave it to me," said Alice; "I have never
done anything to deserve it and I would not take it were it not that I
understand there are no near relatives, and that Miss Lindy Putnam was
amply provided for by her brother."

There was a knock upon the door, and Quincy looked in.

"Come in, Mr. Sawyer," said the Squire. "I have an important bit of news
for you that concerns this young lady."

Quincy did as requested and stood expectantly.

The Squire went on: "Mrs. Putnam's old will, made some six years ago,
gave all the property to Miss Pettengill, but provided that its
provisions should be kept secret for ninety days. In that will I was
named as sole executor."

"Why did she change it?" asked Alice earnestly.

"I don't know," replied the Squire. "About three weeks ago she sent for
me and cut out the ninety-day restriction and named our young friend
here as co-executor with myself."

Alice remained silent, while a look of astonishment crept into Quincy's
face.

"I do not quite comprehend her reason for making this change," remarked
Quincy.

"Mrs. Putnam was a very far-seeing lady," said the Squire, with a laugh,
looking first at Alice and then at Quincy.

A slight flush mounted to Alice's cheeks, and Quincy said coolly, "I do
not perceive the application of your remark."

"Easy enough," said the Squire, seeing that he had put his foot in it,
and that it was necessary to explain his false step in some way; "easy
enough. I have had sole charge of her property for six years, and she
wished some cool-headed business man to go over my accounts and see if I
had been honest in my dealings with her."

"That way of stating the case is satisfactory," said Quincy, a little
more genially.

"I don't think I am in danger of being robbed with two such trusty
guardians," said Alice.

Then all three laughed, and the little rift was closed. But the Squire's
words had not been unheeded and two hearts were busily thinking and
wondering if he had really meant what he said.